|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 37
|
|
|
|
In Memory |
|
of |
|
Fred S. Akers |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and |
|
commemorates the life of Fred S. Akers, who died |
|
December 7, 2020, at the age of 82; and |
|
WHEREAS, Fred Akers was born on March 17, 1938, in |
|
Blytheville, Arkansas; he attended the University of Arkansas, |
|
where he played football, and he began a distinguished career in |
|
coaching by serving as a Texas high school football coach in Port |
|
Arthur, Edinburg, and Lubbock; and |
|
WHEREAS, He joined Darrell Royal's staff at The University |
|
of Texas in 1966 and served as an assistant coach and as a |
|
co-offensive coordinator before becoming the head coach at the |
|
University of Wyoming, where he led the Cowboys to a berth in the |
|
1976 Fiesta Bowl; and |
|
WHEREAS, He returned to Austin in 1977 to fill the position |
|
of head coach at The University of Texas after the retirement of |
|
Darrell Royal; his first Longhorn team, featuring Earl Campbell, |
|
went undefeated in the regular season and won the Southwest |
|
Conference championship; over the next decade, his teams went on |
|
to finish four seasons in the nation's top ten and to receive bowl |
|
invitations in nine consecutive seasons; and |
|
WHEREAS, After his tenure at The University of Texas, he |
|
took on the challenge of a struggling program at Purdue |
|
University, where he coached for four years before retiring from |
|
coaching and becoming a motivational speaker; he received |
|
multiple awards and honors over the course of his life, including |
|
induction into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, the Texas |
|
Sports Hall of Fame, and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame; and |
|
WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of 59 years, Diane Akers, |
|
were blessed with three children, Lesli Akers, Stacey Delmonico, |
|
and the late Danny Akers; his six grandchildren and three |
|
great-grandchildren were a source of much pride and joy for him; |
|
and |
|
WHEREAS, Fred Akers was a man of deep Christian faith and |
|
was known for his integrity, kindness, and generous spirit; he |
|
was a source of strength to others, and he was beloved and |
|
respected by all who were privileged to share in his life; and |
|
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, |
|
and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his |
|
family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th |
|
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved |
|
family of Fred S. Akers; and, be it further |
|
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
|
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
|
memory of Fred Akers. |
|
|
Eckhardt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
President of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
I hereby certify that the |
|
|
above Resolution was adopted by |
|
|
the Senate on February 9, 2021, by |
|
|
a rising vote. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
Member, Texas Senate |